Pump problems slow Northstar production to 9,000 barrels a day

Kristen Nelson, PNA editor-in-chief

Production from BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc.’s new Northstar field tumbled from 69,673 barrels a day April 14 to 8,083 bpd April 15 and zero barrels on April 16. Since then the field has been producing an average of less than 9,000 bpd.

BP spokesman Ronnie Chappell said an electric motor failed on a low-pressure gas compressor. The 5,000 HP motors weights 25,000 pounds, he said, and there was no way to repair it in place.

BP is swapping out a motor now and expects to return the field to full production May 11 or 12, Chappell told PNA April 30.

The field averaged 50,201 bpd in March from four wells.

Field production exceeded 70,000 bpd several times in early April; plant capacity is 72,000 bpd.

The field began production in November and as been ramping up gradually, averaging 11,498 bpd in November, 29,407 bpd in December, 35,736 bpd in January and 36,140 bpd in February.

State records indicate the field also had reduced production in February when it lost a compressor and production was down by 7,000 bpd for a week.